`Invite Omi Vaidya to make a film on Goa`, says minister

Panaji: `Three Idiots` star Omi Vaidya, who played the lovable snitch Chatur Ramalingam in the movie, should be funded to make a film on Goa, a ruling party legislator told the assembly Thursday.

Former deputy chief minister and Congress member Dayanand Narvekar said the Goa government should do away with hosting the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and spend the money on producing films by professionals, which showcase Goa and boosts the local film industry.

"We should invite someone like Omi Vaidya who is from Canacona (a sub-district in south Goa) to make a film in Goa. He is highly talented and will make a brilliant film. Let us not waste Rs.9.5 crore on the film festival (IFFI), which creates a mess every year," Narvekar said.

Born in California in the US, Vaidya studied acting abroad and made a mark with his debut film `3 Idiots`, which was directed by Raju Hirani.

The IFFI is being hosted in Goa since 2003 in partnership with the union ministry for information and broadcasting.